Prime Minister suggests possible bank holiday to celebrate England World Cup win
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that an extra bank holiday could be granted if the England men’s football team wins the 2026 World Cup. The proposal would depend on the team reaching and winning the tournament's final match.
Amalgamated from The Sun (opens in new tab), The Mirror (opens in new tab), BBC News (opens in new tab), The Independent (opens in new tab), The Independent (opens in new tab), The Sun (opens in new tab), The Independent (opens in new tab), Daily Mail (opens in new tab), The Mirror (opens in new tab), The Sun (opens in new tab)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested that a public holiday could be granted should the England men’s football team win the 2026 World Cup. This possibility was raised as the national squad prepares for its quarter-final clash against Norway.
According to reports from BBC News, the Prime Minister expressed a desire not to "jinx" the team by making an official announcement at this stage of the competition. He suggested that interested parties should wait until the tournament progresses further, stating they could be asked again if the team reaches the final.
Reporting from The Independent indicates that the Friday following the World Cup final has been identified as the potential date for the additional day off. This specific timing would provide a period for public celebration should England secure the title.
Media coverage from The Sun and The Mirror highlights that these comments have generated significant interest among supporters as the team moves through the knockout stages. While a formal decision is not yet confirmed, the Prime Minister’s remarks offer a potential reward for fans following a victory on home soil.
The consideration of an extra holiday follows a tradition of acknowledging major sporting achievements with public holidays. However, official plans remain tentative and are contingent upon the team's performance in their upcoming matches.
Why this matters
The possibility of an additional bank holiday would impact national planning for the period following the World Cup final. It also reflects a tradition of using public holidays to celebrate significant achievements by national sports teams on the international stage.
What's confirmed / what isn't
Multiple sources confirm that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made comments regarding a potential bank holiday for an England victory. The specific date of the Friday following the final is reported by The Independent, while the "jinx" quote is attributed to BBC News. The official confirmation of any such holiday remains unconfirmed and dependent on the team's success.
Background
The FIFA World Cup is a global football tournament held every four years, with the 2026 edition being hosted across North America. England's participation in the knockout rounds often generates significant domestic interest and media coverage.